ENCOURAGEMENT

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:2-3

God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.
1 Corinthians 1:9

Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.
Hebrews 10:25

The Lord tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:11

God gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and the young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31

I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
Isaiah 43:2

“ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will befall you.
Job 5:19

Surely God does not reject a blameless man or strengthen the hands of evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Job 8: 20-21

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27

Jesus said, I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

My soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:20-23

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.
Lamentations 3:25

For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.
Lamentations 3:31-33

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Luke 6:21

Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28-29

Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the Lord’s wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light, I will see his righteousness.
Micah 7:8-9

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.
Nahum 1:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7

The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:10

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
Proverbs 12:25

He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
Proverbs 28:26

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 9:9

You heart, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.
Psalm 10:17

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2

You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
Psalm 18:28

For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.
Psalm 22:24

Foe in the day of trouble the Lord will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5

In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from your sight!” Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help . . . Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:22, 24

Love the Lord, all his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.
Psalm 31:23

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Psalm 32:7

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.
Psalm 34:19

Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Psalm 37:24

The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
Psalm 37:39

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:5-6

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior any my God.
Psalm 42:11

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1-3

Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
Psalm 54:4

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:22

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Psalm 62:1-2

You are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
Psalm 68:3

Even while you sleep among the campfires, the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver, its feathers with shining gold.
Psalm 68:13

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.
Psalm 71:20

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:26

But you, O Lord, are a compassion and gracious God, slow to anger abounding in love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:15

Then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:10, 11

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Psalm 94:18-19

I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121:1-8

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:5-6

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.
Psalm 138:7

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.
Psalm 143:8

The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
Psalm 145:14

The Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous.
Psalm 146:8

Encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
1 Thessalonians 5:14

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

Help in Psalm When you feel:

• Afraid 3, 4, 27, 46, 49, 56, 91, 118
• Alone 9, 10, 12, 13, 27, 40, 43
• Burned Out 6, 63
• Cheated 41
• Confused 10, 12, 73
• Depressed 27, 34, 42, 43, 88, 143
• Distressed 13, 25, 31, 40, 107
• Elated 19, 96
• Guilty 19, 32, 38, 51
• Hateful 11
• Impatient 13, 27, 37, 40
• Insecure 3, 5, 12, 91
• Insulted 41, 70
• Jealous 37
• Like Quitting 29, 43, 145
• Lost 23, 139
• Overwhelmed 25, 69, 142
• Sorry 32, 51, 66
• Proud 14, 30, 49
• Purposeless 14, 25, 39, 49, 90
• Sad 13
• Self-confident 24
• Tense 4
• Thankful 118, 136, 138
• Threatened 3, 11, 17
• Tired 6, 13, 18, 28, 29, 40, 86
• Trapped 7, 17, 42, 88, 142
• Unimportant 8, 90, 139
• Vengeful 3, 7, 109
• Worried 37
• Worshipful 8, 19, 27, 29, 150When you’re facing
• Atheists 10, 14, 19, 52, 53, 115
• Competition 133
• Criticism 35, 56, 120
• Danger 11
• Death 6, 71, 90
• Decisions 1, 119
• Discrimination 54
• Doubts 34, 37, 94
• Evil people 10, 35, 36, 49, 52, 109, 140
• Enemies 3, 25, 35, 41, 56, 59
• Heresy 14
• Hypocrisy 26, 28, 40, 50
• Illness 6, 139
• Lies 5, 12, 120
• Old Age 71, 92
• Persecution 1, 3, 7, 56
• Poverty 9, 10, 12
• Punishment 6, 38, 39
• Slander 7, 15, 35, 43, 120
• Slaughter 6, 46, 83
• Sorrow 23, 34
• Success 18, 112, 127, 128
• Temptation 38, 141
• Troubles 34, 55, 86, 102, 142, 145
• Verbal Cruelty 35, 120

When you want

• Acceptance 139
• Answers 4, 17
• Confidence 46, 71
• Courage 11, 42
• Fellowship with God 5, 16, 25, 27, 37, 133
• Forgiveness 32, 38, 40, 51, 69, 86, 103, 130
• Friendship 16
• Godliness 15, 25
• Guidance 1, 5, 15, 19, 25, 32, 48
• Healing 6, 41
• Hope 16, 17, 18, 23, 27
• Humility 19, 147
• Illumination 19
• Integrity 24, 25
• Joy 9, 16, 28, 126
• Justice 2, 7, 14, 26, 37, 49, 58, 82
• Knowledge 2, 8, 18, 19, 25, 29, 97, 103
• Leadership 72
• Miracles 60, 111
• Money 15, 16, 17, 49
• Peace 3, 4
• Perspective 2, 11
• Prayer 5, 17, 27, 61
• Protection 3, 4, 7, 16, 17, 18, 23, 27, 31, 91, 121, 125
• Provision 23
• Rest 23, 27
• Salvation 26, 37, 49, 126
• Stability 11, 33, 46
• Vindication 9, 14, 28, 35, 109
• Wisdom 1, 16, 19, 64, 111

Paul gives specific examples of how you can encourage others in 1 Thessalonians

• 5:11-235:11 Build each other up
• 5:12 Respect leaders
• 5:13 Hold leaders in highest regard, live in peace
• 5:14 Warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient
• 5:15 Resist revenge
• 5:16 Be joyful
• 5:17 Pray continually
• 5:18 Give thanks
• 5:19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire
• 5:20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt
• 5:22 Avoid every kind of evil
• 5:23 Count on God’s constant help

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